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https://theconversation.com/body-lotions-mothballs-cleaning-fluids-and-other-widely-used-products-contain-known-toxic-chemicals-study-finds-204732>
"Consumer products released more than 5,000 tons of chemicals in 2020 inside
California homes and workplaces that are known to cause cancer, adversely
affect sexual function and fertility in adults or harm developing fetuses,
according to our newly published study.
We found that many household products like shampoos, body lotions, cleaners and
mothballs release toxic volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, into indoor air.
In addition, we identified toxic VOCs that are prevalent in products heavily
used by workers on the job, such as cleaning fluids, adhesives, paint removers
and nail polish. However, gaps in laws that govern ingredient disclosure mean
that neither consumers nor workers generally know what is in the products they
use.
For this study we analyzed data from the California Air Resources Board (CARB),
which tracks VOCs released from consumer products in an effort to reduce smog.
The agency periodically surveys companies that sell products in California,
collecting information on concentrations of VOCs used in everything from hair
spray to windshield wiper fluid.
We cross-referenced the most recent data with a list of chemicals identified as
carcinogens or reproductive/developmental toxicants under California’s
right-to-know law, Proposition 65. This measure, enacted in 1986, requires
businesses to notify Californians about significant exposure to chemicals that
are known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harms.
We found 33 toxic VOCs present in consumer products. Over 100 consumer products
covered by the CARB contain VOCs listed under Prop 65.
Of these, we identified 30 product types and 11 chemicals that we see as high
priorities for either reformulation with safer alternatives or regulatory
action because of the chemicals’ high toxicity and widespread use."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
